History

The Once and Future Griffith Observatory

The story of Griffith Observatory is woven from the same cloth as that of Los Angeles itself, from the land it sits on to the visonary who made it possible to the partnerships that brought it into being and then, 70 years later, renewed it for future generations.

A History of Griffith Observatory

Exploring the Observatory's past starts with namesake Griffith J. Griffith, whose plan for a public observatory was as visionary as it was audacious. From Griffith's bequest in 1919 to the Observatory's dedication on May 14, 1935, the story shifts to the astronomers, architects, and public leaders who made his vision to reality. From there, the Observatory welcomed 70 million visitors and became the world's leader in public astronomy, a story told in the context of the building's four Directors.

Renovation and Expansion

As early as 1978, public and private officials recognized that the Observatory's future would depend on a concerted effort to restore the existing building and expand it to improve the experience for the vast audiences who visited each year. Guided by a 1990 Master Plan, the City of Los Angeles and non-profit Friends Of The Observatory crafted a unique public-private partnership to renew the Observatory for generations to come. The building closed to the public on January 6, 2002, to begin this work. A world-class team of architects, exhibit designers, astronomy experts, construction workers, exhibit fabricators, instrument and equipment builders, and many others worked carefully and expertly for four years to return Griffith Observatory to the people of Los Angeles and beyond.

Virtual Tours

Watch this space for virtual tours of the Observatory before and after renovation and expansion.